Ophidiophobia: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about ophidiophobiaMedically reviewed by Karin Gepp, PsyD — By Sarah Charmley on April 13, 2022A fear of snakes, or ophidiophobia, is a common phobia that can develop due to previous negative experiences, such as sustaining a snakebite. Watching another person’s scared reaction and internalizing it can also lead to ophidiophobia, as can not knowing enough about snakes. Phobias can cause a range of symptoms and affect a person’s quality of life. However, treatments are available. This article looks at the definition and prevalence of ophidiophobia, along with its causes and treatment options. It also considers whether the phobia might exist as a result of evolution. What is it Share on PinterestFG Trade/Getty ImagesThe medical term for a fear of snakes is ophidiophobia, which is a form of specific phobia. A specific phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that affects approximately 3–15% of people around the world and 12.5% of people in the United States. It can cause a person to experience extremely high levels of fear and anxiety. A 2021 study notes that ophidiophobia is one of the most common specific phobias. Ophidiophobia vs herpetophobia Ophidiophobia is the term for a fear of snakes. People who have a phobia of all reptiles have herpetophobia. Symptoms The symptoms of ophidiophobia include:experiencing terror, fear, or panic about snakesbeing unable to look at a snake or a picture of onechanging the daily routine to avoid snakesthinking a lot about snakesbeing fearful of all snakes, including harmless onesexperiencing thoughts of snakes that result in strong anxiety If a person encounters a snake, they may experience high levels of anxiety and a panic attack. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), the symptoms of a panic attack include:tremblingsweatingshortness of breathchillshot flashesrapid heartbeatchest pain or tightnessnauseaa choking sensationfeeling faintbutterflies in the stomachpins and needlesnumbnessdry mouthheadachesdizziness A 2018 article notes that a person with ophidiophobia may experience health issues. Phobias have associations with migraine, heart problems, arthritis, and thyroid conditions. In addition, as anxiety can affect a person’s immune system, those with phobias may often feel unwell or have digestive system issues. It is important to note that it is possible to dislike snakes without having ophidiophobia. This will usually involve:feeling worried or scared when seeing snakesthinking about snakes only when one is presentfeeling unsure or unenthusiastic about being close to, or touching, a snakecoping with seeing snakes in enclosures in zoosmaking no changes to daily life to avoid encountering snakesdisliking snakes or feeling disgusted by them Causes A 2021 article states that the exact causes of specific phobias are unknown. However, a person can develop ophidiophobia as a result of a previous negative experience with snakes. People can also develop ophidiophobia when they witness another person’s negative reaction to snakes and internalize it. A 2019 study examined the reaction of children to common fears. The authors suggest two methods that can result in a person developing a phobia. These include:Verbal information: A person acquires the fear through social media or warnings from caregivers or trusted adults, such as teachers. Social learning: This may include hearing about other people’s experiences or seeing a family member or caregiver respond fearfully to a situation. This experience may particularly influence early learning about fear for young children. Specific phobias typically appear early in life and can continue for years or even decades. Is it evolutionary Some experts theorize that people develop ophidiophobia as a result of classical conditioning due to early experiences and a negative portrayal of snakes in culture, religion, and the media. However, others suggest that a fear of snakes is evolutionary and that humans developed an adaptive system of fear responses because of the risks that snakes presented in the past. This is a strongly debated topic, and, as of yet, researchers have not yet reached a conclusion. However, a 2020 article suggests that although humans are not born with a fear of snakes, people may have a biological predisposition to associate them with fear. Another 2016 study supports this theory. The authors suggest that babies and young children do not fear snakes. However, they have a strong tendency to learn to fear them. This could be due to bad experiences or negative portrayals of snakes in society. The researchers also suggest that humans associate particular patterns with danger rather than fearing snakes specifically. In the study, they presented the children with images and asked them to categorize each image as “nice” or “mean.” The children labeled the images of snakes as “mean” if they had triangular heads. The researchers suggest that early primates developed an aversion to triangular shapes that were potentially harmful, such as sharp teeth, claws, and horns. Many venomous snakes have triangular heads or move in zigzag patterns. Diagnosis A healthcare professional may diagnose ophidiophobia based on the following diagnostic criteria:a noticeable fear of snakesthe snake almost always results in fear or anxietythe fear or anxiety outweighs the actual threat that the snake posesa person actively avoids snakes, or they endure the snake with intense anxiety and fearthe fear is persistent, lasting at least 6 monthsthe fear causes severe distress and affects other areas of a person’s lifeother mental health conditions do not explain the symptoms A healthcare professional may also ask a person to fill out a questionnaire called the Snake Questionnaire, or SNAQ, which consists of 30 questions. Treatment options Various treatment options are available to people living with a snake phobia. A good first step is to consult with a qualified therapist. Exposure therapy A 2018 study evaluated student responses to meeting reptiles and amphibians as part of monitoring projects on a field trip. The researchers encouraged the students to engage with the animals where possible. The hands-on experience and the use of a reflective journal enabled students to rethink their attitudes toward reptiles and amphibians. Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT Some CBT techniques may help change a person’s thoughts. A person may learn to identify connections between their behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Another technique may enable the management of thought patterns through the use of practical skills. Relaxation and mindfulness Mindfulness can be helpful in treating anxiety and phobias, according to a 2021 review and meta-analysis. Hypnotherapy Although there is a lack of evidence to support hypnotherapy to treat anxiety or phobia, some people may find it helpful. Medication The NHS states that medication may help treat phobias in the short term, which can help reduce anxiety. A doctor may prescribe:antidepressantstranquillisers, such as benzodiazepinebeta-blockers, to help slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure Beta-blockers or medication for depression can help if a person has other mental health issues alongside a specific phobia. Finding a phobia group A person can find a group specific to their phobia through a qualified therapist. Alternatively, the Anxiety & Depression Association of America lists existing support groups and offers advice on how to start a new support group. Summary A fear of snakes, or ophidiophobia, is a common phobia in which a person finds it difficult to think about, discuss, or encounter a snake. The fear can result in changed routines or a person being afraid to go outdoors in case they come across a snake. If a person believes that they have ophidiophobia, they should contact a healthcare professional to discuss the treatment options, which include CBT. In some cases, medications can help reduce anxiety in the short term. Last medically reviewed on April 13, 2022Mental HealthAnxiety / StressPsychology / Psychiatry 14 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Dinh, H. T., et al. (2021). Preferential neuronal responses to snakes in the monkey medial prefrontal cortex support an evolutionary origin for ophidiophobia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8024491/Eaton, W. W., et al. (2020). Specific phobias. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7233312/Haller, H., et al. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions for DSM-5 anxiety disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8516851/LoBue, V., et al. (2019). Fear in infancy: Lessons from snakes, spiders, heights, and strangers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6716607/Pelissolo, A. (2016). Hypnosis for anxiety and phobic disorders: A review of clinical studies [Abstract]. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0755498215005722?via%3DihubPhobias. (2021). https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/phobias/treatment/Phobias. (n.d.). https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/phobias/Rádlová, S., et al. (2020). Emotional reaction to fear- and disgust-evoking snakes: Sensitivity and propensity in snake-fearful respondents. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6997343/Reynolds, B. R., et al. (2018). A walk in the woods: Changing student attitudes toward amphibians and reptiles. https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=82508Samra, C. K., et al. (2021). Specific phobia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499923/Souchet, J., et al. (2016). Revisiting the fear of snakes in children: The role of aposematic signalling. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep37619Specific phobia. (n.d.). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/specific-phobiaTable 3.11: DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison. Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health [internet]. (2016). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519704/table/ch3.t11/Zsido, A. N., et al. (2018). Short versions of two specific phobia measures: The snake and the spider questionnaires.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618517304413?via%3DihubFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Karin Gepp, PsyD — By Sarah Charmley on April 13, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the different types of phobias?Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes a person to experience an overwhelming or debilitating fear of a situation or thing. Learn more here.READ MOREEverything you need to know about phobiasMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD A phobia is an irrational and overpowering fear. 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